Reynolds' quest for a record throw

AFTER FOUR years at Girls' Champs, St. Hugh's Pheleica Reynolds is still without a medal.

However, in this her final year, the discus thrower and shot putter is not only promising to win, but also to break at least one record.

"I can be expected to win both events ... but I am not just looking forward to that; I plan to break the records," Reynolds said.

The records Reynolds is aiming at are 12.81m for the shot put and 44.80m for the discus held since 1998 by Tanya Thomas.

At last year's Championships, Reynolds threw 10.50m for fifth in the shot put and 35.26 for 10th in the discus.

"I am confident that I will break at least one of the records. I love both events, but I have a special love for discus," the former St. Jago athlete said.

National throwing coach Michael Vassell, who coaches Reynolds, said: "Once she is there mentally on the day,
great things can be expected from her".

In addition, Vassell believes with people like Keneisha Thoroughsingh from Vere and Shaneika Johnson from Mannings and Jerine Foster of Alpha, four girls could be throwing over 12m and possibly one over 13 in the shot at Champs.

As for the discus, Vassell said Reynolds' main rival would be Johnson.

However, Vassel said, Reynolds should have Thomas' record of 44.80 'covered'.

Vassell also believes good things can be expected in the throws in all classes.

He highlighted the impressive performances of Latanya Nation of Edwin Allen. She has thrown 42m in Class Two and is capable of breaking Tayana Thomas' Class Two discus record.

Reynolds' school has not done well at Champs in recent years but this year, she said: "I expect we will improve on our 14th place finish last year to a top-10 position".

- A. F.